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Bringing in a Bright New Year
Around the world
Traditions, toasts and wishes abound
Bell-ringing and fireworks
Ancient Thailand's custom:
Discharge a firearm to ward off evil
In China the tradition is to:
Send off firecrackers and divert malevolent spirits
If you find yourself in the Canary Islands:
Plunk a grape into your mouth- one for each chime of the clock
at midnight
Southern-style practice of black-eyed beans in the New Year
In Holland enjoy mulled wine along with a bannock of pastry
My wish is for MORE
More love, giving and receiving
More star-struck nights spent in star-gazing reverie
More appreciation of intricacies held by our wild world,
sprinkled like gems hidden in plain sight
More celebration of the peace of possibilities
More music, and:
More dreaming
Last Leaf
Old oak's
Yellow leaf - freckled with tan-tones
Hangs from baton of branch
Hovers, quivers
A bright beacon, beckoning me to a
Last look
Before a brisk breeze
Brings it back to Earth.
A fluttering, swaying
Moment of pure grace
I may have missed had
Happenstance not revealed
Its uncommon luminosity
